Therapeutic Astrology Podcast

#144 - Kingsley Dennis (p.2) Beyond Conditioning - Connecting to Something Higher - The Modern Seeker & Sage Talks

This is the second part of our (yes, yours and mine!) meeting with Kingsley L. Dennis, who holds a PhD and works as a full-time writer and researcher. He is the author of more than twenty-five books and numerous articles, making it no small task to choose what to focus on!! But today is long planned job (planned by myself Mannah)of me bringing some challenging questions to Kingsley, as I recently read his 2020 book "The Modern Seeker: A Perennial Psychology for Contemporary Times." We explore what the perennial path is, and how it can be expressed through the modern language of psychology. What are the dangers of going into the occult/spiritual domain if not emotionally stable and how can therapy work together with the perennial need to decondition? Kingsley is AS WE SPEAK ready with a new book for the public called "Sage Talks: Conversations with Gods, Deities, and Avatars" (march 31, 2026) and we of course dive into that too in the later part of this interview. But mostly we go at it with bridging tools/paths for emotional health and a spiritual growth. Modern therapy and the perennial path are not necessarily opposed - but the interesting part is how we get to this point, the process of us understanding each other in this conversation I think. DEconditioning and reprogramming is a HUGE important task. Now then what? What do we replace the old programme with? Well Soulmaking, in his language, is about nourishing the soul with what truly feeds it, rather than living on distractions, substitutes, or forms of "fast food" for the psyche. A central thread in the conversation is that real development requires openness, critically questioning, flexibility and humor! And an underlying theme is the art of communication, because as Kingsley says in the end of this episode: "We are a communicative species." In astrological terms, we speak of a Mars Mercury conjunction (powerful communicator!) and Libra rising, which points to a soul emphasis on equal relationships. I find this very pronounced in Kingsley because he is always very easy to talk to and consistently invites me into a space of co-creation. Also in this conversation he speaks of allowing others perspectives - that is a Libra skill for sure!! I hope you enjoy it and will reflect with us on these existential and important topics -Mannah link to this episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/F5Sm4hz067w [https://youtu.be/F5Sm4hz067w] Kingsleys substack: https://kingsleyldennis.substack.com/ [https://kingsleyldennis.substack.com/] Mannah: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/]

#143 - Sian Sibley - Black Paths and Green Cathedrals - Unveiling the Green

In her book Black Paths and Green Cathedrals: A Guide to Ecological Paganism, Sian Sibley writes: "greed and gluttony are not just permitted, they are encouraged, driven by a profiteering media that feeds our fears because fear sells. And yet, no one ever tells us what 'enough' even means. We are kept hungry on purpose, starved of contentment, because a person who knows they have enough is a person who cannot be controlled." WOW. This wow factor goes all through our conversation. So welcome dear listener to TAP into a conversation about: -How working with trees is very different from working with flowers and plants: flowers are quick, but trees ask us to slow down because they move at a much slower pace than we do -By selling your time, you are giving away the best part of your life -The Industrial Revolution and the enclosure of land helped cut people off from the land and moved them into dehumanizing conditions in towns, mines, and mills -One striking example of dehumanization was the invention of food like the sandwich and the Cornish pasty -Much of modern life has handed our survival over to supermarkets and systems, leaving us deeply dependent and cut off from the sources of life -This disconnect is not just about being "green" in the modern sense of recycling or veganism, but about a root-deep wound in how we see ourselves as above nature instead of within it -What it means to be plant-blind and how admit to being just that -Humans are incredibly new compared to the plant world, yet religion and science have often trained us to think we are superior to it -CRYSTALS! There is no real proof behind claims of "ethically sourced crystals," and that label often becomes something we tell ourselves to feel better -Sacred plants are also being harmed by spiritual consumption, such as frankincense, where overuse is contributing to the endangerment of Boswellia trees -If people cannot grow food, gather water, forage, or provide for themselves, they become dependent on systems that then hold power over their lives -The drop test: If a plant can anticipate an outcome, alter its response, and remember past experiences, that fits a definition of intelligence ! -Sacred trees appear across cultures, including the world tree in Norse mythology and the enlightenment tree in Buddhism -Many ancient goddesses was nature deities connected to animals, serpents, and the living earth but later mythologies and patriarchal systems have diminished these earlier feminine powers -Plant magic and herbal practice traditionally integrate astrology through planetary correspondences/esoteric sympathies and...So Much Good Stuff in this one!! From Aeon books website: "Sian Sibley is a writer, witchcraft practitioner, and ecologist from Wales, with over thirty years of experience in plant spirit magic. She holds master's degrees in Biological Science and Ecology and Spirituality, blending scientific insight with esoteric wisdom. As the leader of the DragonOak Coven for 27 years, she has guided practitioners in structured, nature-based spiritual practices that honour both tradition and personal growth." Be well everyone and check out these links: link to the books: https://spirit.aeonbooks.co.uk/author/sian-sibley/23782 [https://spirit.aeonbooks.co.uk/author/sian-sibley/23782] link to Sian sibley: https://www.dragonoak.org/ [https://www.dragonoak.org/] link to Mannah: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/] HERE is the VIDEO version: https://youtu.be/q7dzbpBdOdE [https://youtu.be/q7dzbpBdOdE]

#142 - Maja D'Aoust - Astrology of the Shadow Self- Working with Oppositions in Your Natal Chart

"Using astrology psychologically is not a recent trend, though; it was widespread among the alchemists of Europe, such as Paracelsus and Athanasius Kircher, who sought to undergo the great work or magna opus of transforming and transmuting the self. Astrology later attracted the attention of Western psychologists and psychiatrists" (quote from Maja D'Aoust) TAP in with us as we speak of: Shadow work, subconscious influences, counter-part, your double ganger and alter-ego and why it is so important and so natural! Here are some of the themes we talk about: -The unexpressed energy in shadow -Doubles and the shade and its role within magical traditions -In the shadow is also our biological instinct and here is a great quote from Maja: "The impulse and compulsion of instinct serves to keep you and all other life-forms alive. Without instinct, we would not survive; therefore instinct deserves as much respect and veneration as intelligence." -Identifying with limited information (bias) -There should be no shaming about having a shadow- we are bound to it, living in this reality! -The dualistic nature of the universe -Pagen history and mythology -REMEMBER WHERE YOU COME FROM -Why (we think) social media is toxic now but started as an utopia -Different terminologies and perspectives on the Soul -The need to have more insight on death and the afterlife journey -Grief and love even though there "is no loss" because there is a perception of separation with death -How the I Ching helped Maja realize shadow astrology -Sharing esoteric wisdom and how I find some purpose to talk publicly about books that inspired me -Eclipses and double ganger experiences Rich with information!! Enjoy!!! Find the video version here: https://youtu.be/XihPW3VDOwo [https://youtu.be/XihPW3VDOwo] -Mannah Find more on Maja here: http://www.witchofthedawn.com/ [http://www.witchofthedawn.com/] https://godismyboyfriend.com/ [https://godismyboyfriend.com/] the book: https://www.innertraditions.com/books/astrology-of-the-shadow-self [https://www.innertraditions.com/books/astrology-of-the-shadow-self] Mannah: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/]

#141 - Katharina Westblikk - The Path of Esoteric Astrology - Beyond the Individual

I had to do one more interview at the astro-conference when I heard Katharina Westblikk speak!! It turns out she also works therapeutically at her Arhat Center. She is an esoteric astrologer, healer, yoga teacher, lecturer, and the owner of Arhat Center in Bergen, Norway. Tap in as we talk about what esoteric astrology is..I come into the conversation with a certain frame of reference due to the high horse I have experienced many esoteric astrologers to be on, but there is an explanation of the hight. Also...Mind you, I'm in a sensitive state as I didn't get much sleep... Be intrigued together with me as Katharina dives into esoteric wisdom with us. Mannah Find more on Katharina here: https://esoteric-wisdom.com/ [https://esoteric-wisdom.com/] Mannah here: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/] Youtube version: https://youtu.be/fN7k8EGvx8E [https://youtu.be/fN7k8EGvx8E]

#140 - Maurice Fernandez on Neurodivergence with Uranus in Gemini & on the Global Issue of Spiritual Bypass (p.2)

This is part 2 of a 2-part series with Maurice Fernandez, master astrologer with more than 30 years of experience. In this shorter episode we speak about spiritual development, the adaptation of our brain and biology to the energetic update and how to tell if a spiritual teacher are trustworthy. I hope you enjoy it. I made this mini-series with Maurice to celebrate entering my 40s. PS I am having my own Uranus into Gemini moment - or "progress is here-moment" - as I brought my so-called "old" heavy recording gear, just to discover that the modern smartphone is a way better recorder, than all I had brought. Hey find more on Maurice here: https://mauricefernandez.com/ [https://mauricefernandez.com/] Mannah here: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/ [https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/] the video version here: https://youtu.be/L_05OqcYhqg [https://youtu.be/L_05OqcYhqg]